Lobby groups for veterans’ rights that originated during the First World War eventually merged to become the Royal Canadian Legion.
The Legion assisted Second World War veterans because it was well established and able to help. In the post-war era the Legion evolved into a community service group.
When the First World War ended, the Elora Express Newspaper reported, “Elora in common with the rest of Canada, went wild. Whistles shrieked, bells rang, horns blew, and anything that would make a noise was called into service.”
During the afternoon of Armistice Day, factory employees made an effigy of Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm. At the conclusion of the program, the mock ruler was set aflame.
Mrs. M. Moynihan, whose son Jimmy was the first Elora boy killed in action, had the honour of applying the torch. The bonfire was a huge one.
War veterans returned, and for the first time in Canadian history, the country could not cope with the influx. Veterans’ groups grew out of the soldiers’ frustrations with civilian life, such as the Great War Veteran’s Association, the 153rd Wellington Battalion Association and the Elora Veteran’s Association.
Nichol Township was one of the first to erect a cenotaph – at a cost of $300. Elora and Fergus soon followed. Local members of the Great War Veterans Association, along with a marching band met in Elora at the market square and marched to Salem for the first area Remembrance ceremonies. Remembrance Day services have been held in Elora since 1919, but it was not until 1926 veterans observed Armistice day with a banquet like the one now held annually.
Then the centre chair on the right of the chairman was not occupied, across the back hung a soldiers uniform and cap, a simple tribute to the memory of the comrades who sleep in the fields of France and Flanders.
At the end of the banquet, the question of forming a permanent veterans’ organization in Elora was discussed and a motion passed that the association be called the Elora Veterans’ Association. The following officers were elected, including honourary president Woods, president David Foote, secretary-treasurer Patmore, vice-president Kendall and executive committee members D.H. Bell, Fred Magnus and James Quinn.”
Eventually the meetings of the group became policy discussions. Sam Trilesky advocated the Elora group join the national Canadian Legion but he was voted down by those who felt $4 annual dues was too high. After several years, when most of the veterans’ groups had disbanded, the Elora men decided their only hope was strength in numbers. They applied to form the 229th branch in Ontario of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The Elora Express of September 21, 1932, reported, “In spite of a very wet night, there was a large attendance at the Armoury Hall on Tuesday night, Sept. 13, when Elora Branch, No. 229 of the Canadian Legion, received its charter.”
The charter members of the Elora Legion were: J.K. MacDonald, E.C. Grimes, F.W. Rogers, A. Farquar, R. Fladd, F. Magnus, S. Trilesky, Wib Shafer, L. Little, J. Rogers and T. Boyd.
The most important day on a Legionnaire’s calendar is Remembrance Day, and the annual service continues every year.
In 1935, the Legion leased club rooms on Mill Street adjacent to the Victoria Street bridge. The Canadian Legion of the British’ Empire Service League was the largest organization for returned soldiers that the commonwealth possessed.The Elora Express reported it was world wide in 1935 with 1,200 branches and a membership of 175,000. Today the Royal Canadian Legion has 450,000 members with membership having peaked at just over 600,000 in the early 1990s.
In 1937 the Elora branch members had raised sufficient funds to purchase the old commercial hotel from Bill Fleetham, site of the Legion’s current pool room.
An Elora-Fergus picnic was held annually through the depression years at Whitelaw’s Flats. Sponsored by the Elora Legion, a feast would host 200 people consuming 400 ice cream cones, 20 watermelons and 20 gallons of lemonade.
In the 1980s the picnic was held at Veteran’s Park in Salem and since 1987 it has been held at the Ponsonby Community Park.
Various fundraising events were held including Donkey baseball games between Elora volunteer firemen and the Legion. Dances were held regularly. During that period club membership hovered around 75 with prohibition and the depression resulting in the decline of Legion branches everywhere.
In 1937, the Vimy Ridge Memorial was unveiled, and local hardware merchant, Ivan French was selected to represent the area. Historians mark that WW1 battle as an important milestone on the road to nationhood. French had a literary flare and coverage of his experiences at the ceremonies were reported for several national publications including Maclean’s magazine.
Writing in the Elora Express, French remarked, “The deep significance underlying this summer’s Vimy pilgrimage gave the whole trip a greater meaning than any ordinary voyage. Thousands of Canadians from coast to coast were travelling. Vimy had become a huge mecca.”
Veterans recognized the possibility of a Second World War and advocated peace through superior fire power. As a protest against fascism and communism in Canada, the Elora Legion sponsored a Magna Carta week asking for cooperation from the council, school board, churches, womens’ groups, and all public bodies in order that “this rallying of all the friends of freedom in this locality be as widespread as possible.”
In 1939, during the visit of King George to Canada, Elora Legion president Fred Magnus and secretary William C. Beattie, went to Ottawa for the ceremonies.
Magnus stated, “It was the most magnificent thing I have ever seen … Of course, the placing of the colours was just preliminary to the unveiling of the memorial cenotaph on Sunday, but even for that King George came out on the balcony of the Chateau for a few minutes and we were all able to see what a fine figure of a monarch and a man he is.”
When war erupted again, the Elora Legion rallied.
Among the first to enlist from Elora and the immediate area included Captain E.T. Mutrie, gunners A. McQuarrie and R Jordan, and privates W. Lee, L. Mosure, James Quinn, Victor Ross, L. Batt and Fred Rogers.
As the war continued, many pledged their help. The Legion announced results of its fund raising campaign: “War Service Drive, Elora Branch No. 229; objective $300. Donations: Elora Branch Canadian Legion, $50; Elora Branch Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary, $25; Elora Furniture Co. and Employees, $49; JC Mundell Co. and employees, $36; Fluery Bissell Co. and employees, $26; donations received in canteen, $23.
“The canvassers reports were: William Duncan and RE. Mills, $51; Charles Mogk (Lot 18 and Salem), $50; Mrs. Stimpson and Mrs. Boyd, $21; Mrs. Raven and Mrs. Huck, $18.; Mrs. Prine and Mrs. Seblefski, $10.; Mrs. Gilmore and Mrs. Boyd, $10; Mrs. Figg and Mrs. Heseltine, $13; K. McDonald and J. Martin(Alma), $11; A Brett and R Beal (Pilkington and Bethany), $42; for a total of $437.”
The Elora Express reported on Feb. 5, 1941 that, “A meeting of the Elora district war savings committee, and others interested, was held in the council chambers of the town hall, to discuss plans for the February drive in the interests of Canada’s campaign to enlist two million citizens to become systematic savers and purchase $10 million dollars worth of war savings certificates during 1941.
“Owing to an influenza epidemic it was not so well attended as it might have been. Preliminary arrangements for the local campaign were made. Those involved included: R.E. Mills, chairman; E.M Davidson, secretary; H.C. Waind, Lloyd Bissel, Harry Walser, Charles Burt, I.C. Bricker, principal Sangster and John Wright of the Elora public school.
“In Elora, recently, pledge campaigns were conducted in the three factories, for over $430 per month. At the Elora public school, Sangster indicated that over $100 had already been raised or promised. Sales of stamps and certificates had been made at the local post office, banks and two or more stores where stamps are available.”
Eventually enough funds were raised for the purchase of a bren gun for the war effort. William C. Beattie, then secretary for the Elora Legion, received a letter from J.L. Haley, Minister of Finance, which stated, “The department of national defence has forwarded to me this cheque for $500 received from you as a contribution to Canada’s war effort from the Elora Branch of the Canadian Legion and other citizens of Elora. Please convey to the members of your branch and to others who shared in this generous gift, the sincere thanks of the government of Canada as well as my own personal thanks.
“My colleagues and I appreciate deeply this evidence of their practical interest and support in the Dominion’s part in the war. I note it is the wish of the donors that this amount be used to buy a bren gun and I am accordingly arranging to have one of these guns suitably identified as a gift from Branch 229 of the Canadian Legion.”
The loan campaign went better than expected in Elora. A large thermometer on the flag pole in the village square recorded pledges. It took only the first two days of the campaign to reach and pass the objective of $45,000 and, in ten days, official figures topped $100,000 for Elora.
The Elora Express reported that north Wellington County was able to take and hold third place in Canada with its response.
The Legion also provided supplies for local soldiers overseas. By 1944, a typical consignment would consist of 126 boxes for men overseas and one for Sergeant Peggy Quinn. The boxes were sent every Christmas and consisted of two pairs of socks, two towels, one handkerchief, one comb, two packages of razor blades, four cakes of hand soap, one shave stick, one box of shoe polish, 2 packages of tobacco, one package of tobacco paper, two packages of gum, two chocolate bars and one toothbrush.
The parcel for Sergeant Quinn contained a number of feminine gadgets such as Kleenex, face cream, bobby pins, Lux flakes, bath powder and stockings. Fifteen parcels went to the airforce, three to the navy and 107 to the army.
Throughout the war, the committee formed by members of the Elora Legion, known as the Canadian Legion War Fund Committee and registered under the War Charities Act took care of the combatants from Elora and district as they arrived overseas.
At the end of 1939 there were six local boys overseas and comforts were being sent regularly. In 1940 the numbers headed overseas increased as did the demand for funds to maintain the work.
In 1939, the membership of the Elora Legion was 85 and it grew to 192 by 1945. A few of the donations gleaned from the branch minutes of that period include:
– Navy League, $100;
– Canadian Legion War Services, $425;
– Chinese Relief Fund, $70;
– London Distress Fund, $40;
– Greek War Relief, $400;
– bren gun $550;
– overseas Christmas parcels, $1,280;
– British War Victims, $60;
– local Red Cross, $150;
– cigarettes overseas, $2,456; and
– local boys band, $10.
On Jan. 1, 1944, the committee pledged to send 300 cigarettes per month to each of the persons overseas who by that time numbered 115. That pledge was funded by successful war bond salesmen who generously donated their commissions from sales of war Victory loans.
Further commission funds were set aside to help veterans upon their return. Elora was one of the few towns to adopt this practice and it helped them to be one of the first communities to achieve its goal in every bond sale.
Clothing was collected for millions of refugees in Europe who were devastated by war.
When the war ended, Elora was prepared.
“Promptly as the word came over the radio, the bells of St. John’s church peeled, and the siren, the old fire bell, the school bell and all the factory whistles in town took up the refrain,” reported the Elora Express.
Cars honked and tooted their horns wildly, dashing back and forth. A street dance was held. The dance continued into the morning and celebrations continued the next day.
Throughout the peacetime years, the Elora Legion has been an advocate for the veteran. The members assist with the annual community Decoration Day services at the cemetery and the annual Remembrance Day service.
In the 1960s the Elora Legion looked for a new location to expand its premises. The Legion was never large enough to hold the annual Remembrance Day banquet. The Drill Hall was always rented but it was condemned in 1965.
The federal government offered to sell it to the branch for a dollar but the offer was declined. It was felt that renovations would be too costly.
In 1965 land was purchased, the site of the present L&M Foodmart. Unfortunately, the Liquor Control Board rejected the site as it was too close to a church. Instead plans were developed to put an addition on the existing building.
The first sod was turned May 21, 1968. Jim Rogers, who was president and general contractor spearheaded the project. With the help of volunteer workers the project was completed over the summer months.
The Elora Rocks held the first dance in the new hall on Oct. 26, 1968 with The Tom Todd Trio playing. The ceremonial opening was held two weeks later on Nov. 11, 1968 with Padre McMillan dedicating the Maple Leaf Room. That evening was also the 50th anniversary of the cessation of World War 1.
The next step was to payoff the mortgage for the addition. Donations from members and fund raising within the community helped lower the deficit.
In 1969 a liquor plebiscite was held and the residents voted “yes” to allow liquor to be sold in bars. This helped attract patrons to the branch club rooms.
Within five years the Elora Legion was able to hold a mortgage burning ceremony; over, $170,000 had been paid off within five years.
It was a mammoth undertaking fraught with risk that brought a great asset to the community. At the time it was the only banquet hall in the village.
In 1972 the Elora Legion dismantled the Nichol Township cenotaph at the entrance to Salem, a busy intersection, and moved it to the park in Salem now known as Veteran’s Park. The Legion donated $2,000 to fund the erection of a pavilion there.
The Elora Legion donated $20,000 to the Elora Community Centre fund after the original arena was condemned. When Groves Memorial Hospital expanded $10,000 was donated to that cause.
From the 1970s until 2000, the Legion averaged annual donations of $70,000 to various community groups such as minor sports, Girl Guides and Scouts.
The Elora Legion funds scholarships annually at Centre Wellington District High School since 1975. Since 1992 the Legion has provided $200 a month to the local food bank.
Membership in the Elora Legion increased above 300 after the new hall was built. It peaked in the late 1970s at 700 members and has remained at that level ever since.
Although attrition is due to demographics, younger members are following in their parents’ footsteps.
While many communities have seen their local Legion branch decline or close, the Elora Legion remains vibrant.
Membership rules have opened to the point that anyone can join. There is no armed forces service requirement.
While the care of veteran and their dependents remains the focal point, all community projects for the youths and the aged are undertaken.
The 50th anniversary of the branch coincided with the 150th anniversary of Elora in 1982. The back rooms of the branch were converted into a museum for two weeks and everyone displayed their family’s treasured mementoes of war time service. Royden Rogers provided round the clock security.
For two weeks events were held in the club rooms commemorating the village sesquicentennial. Gong shows and male beauty contests were a featured event.
The 60th anniversary occurred during 1992 and the 125th anniversary of the country. A weekend of legion events were held including a visit from the Ontario Provincial command president. Karaoke replaced the gong talent show. On both occasions the traditional Saturday night dance was held.
Since the Maple Leaf Room opened in 1968 a dance was held every Saturday night until 2000. Jack Goudie was a fixture behind the bar as Saturday night dance chairman.
Weddings and community and private events are in such great demand that public dances are held less frequently on Saturdays.
In 1988 the branch formed a wheel chair fund, saving pop tabs for the aluminum. The tabs are recycled and wheelchairs are purchased. Chaired by Jack Baumber since it was created, over 1,500 wheel chairs have been donated to those who need them.
The upstairs hall was renovated to permit a ramp entrance in 1989 for wheel chair access. In 2000 the downstairs entrance was renovated and a wheel chair entrance was added there as well.
Over the last 80 years the Elora Legion has grown from a veteran’s club to a vital community organization.
Legion officials are proud of their commitment to help make Centre Wellington a better place to live.
